by Patricia Briggs

Patricia Briggs is one of my favorite writers. She writes wonderful fantasy novels. This one has the feel that it is one of the earlier works she has done. It is less polished, you might say. I don't know how to describe it. It is still a great story.

Hurog is the land of dragons and magic. Ward is its heir. His nasty father hurt him even after his death by asking the King to put him in an asylum. Ward manages to escape with the help of a mage sworn to serve the master of Hurog, whoever it may be. The characters are likable and they start a journey hoping to reclaim Ward's reputation so that he can return to Hurog some day.

If you want to know which of Briggs' books I've enjoyed most so far, they are the Raven duology and the Mercy Thompson series. This duology and the Raven one are more traditional fantasy. The Mercy Thompson books are what I think is called urban fantasy. Werewolves and vampires and such. They are more fun to me, but I like traditional fantasy as well.

I grew up with fantasy like J.R.R. Tolkien and Ursula K. Le Guin, went away from it for a few decades, and started back with Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse. I've come full circle. If anyone is reading this and is like me, I recommend you try it again, too. But with one of Briggs' later books first.